Alrighty guys, I just wanted to type one more chapter before I leave tomorrow! I'm finally out of the writer's block tunnel. XD I thought this up, and I liked the idea, so... yeah! Maybe you'll even find some foreshadowing or references to a few games/movies/books while you're at it, and point it out to me?
And a new character is introduced, I hope you like her!
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Nigel; Parents of a Hero[/i]
Chapter 4- Kidnapped!
~**
Pain. Misery. Solitude.
Every one of the kids worked their butts off for Grandfather, the evil king of the world. In chains, cuffs, everything! Pouring tapioca in large barrels of bowls with small spoons, are twirling the wooden spiral to pour the tapioca in by force.
Nigel and Rachel were in an alleyway, peering through behind a building to stay hidden from the eyes of Grandfather.
“Those poor children…”
Nigel’s eyebrows rose, hearing a female squeak. He looked down at Rachel, feeling such compassion for those kids who worked hard.
He treated them like slaves, and she for one wanted to bust them out like heck!
“Faster! MOVE IT! I want this tapioca finished until dusk!” ordered Grandfather in a grim tone. He then saw a few kids huddled together, keeping a tired girl out of the king’s sight.
Grandfather swarmed over like a hawk. “Well, well…” A cold chuckle escaped from him. His arms were crossed, and bent his head down to take a closer look. “What have we here, hmm?” His golden eyes narrowed with pure terror.
The kids gasped, feeling chills run down their backs.
“S-sir!” said a small dirty boy, looking up at him. “W-we were just… i-it’s Denise, she—”
“Denise is what?”
“She’s very tired sir, and she… she-she wants to quit.”
“Quit?” Grandfather paused for a moment, squinting his eyes at the round boy. “…Did you say, ‘quit’?”
The boy nodded, gulping lightly. Sweat fell from his forehead, and his heart thudded out of his chest.
“Let me see her.” Grandfather demanded, pushing the boy out of his way with his large hand. He saw the girl, exhausted from working her tail off.
“Denise,” Grandfather hissed in a prissy tone. “Wakey-wakey, now… YOU HAVE A JOB TO DO!”
The red-headed girl looked up, glaring. She had a large bang on the front her of face, and medium-length red hair. Denise wore a pink sweater with a few bandages wrapped around her left arm, and a darkened green skirt with coal-colored working boots. She was awfully filthy.
Her teeth grit and her breath was shuddery.
“…No.”
“What was that?” asked Grandfather, offering an ear to her. His hand was placed behind it, trying to hear what she said. “You must speak up, dear girl. I’m old, and I’m losing my hearing…”
“I…said…NO!” Denise screamed, standing.
Grandfather tsked, strumming his beard. “It’s a shame… since you have no choice but to work for me. Forever.” A wide grin spread across his face, looking evilly at the small girl.
Denise kept her ground, glaring more at the evil overlord. Grandfather let out a deep laugh.
“Oh, you silly little girl!” he laughed, holding his thin stomach. “Do you really think you can match up to me?” Grandfather stood, placing his hands on his hips and looked down at her.
Denise licked her lips.
Why… doesn’t she budge?“…Why you little brat—I’ll show you directly to the broken factory if you wish! You can clean it up and remodel it with all the other useless, stuck-up workers!”
Children all around gasped, and the little girl loosened her expression. Grandfather sneered.
“Works every time…”
“PAPPY!” screamed a helpless, cowardly high-pitched voice which happened to be his son.
Grandfather face-palmed. “What is it this time, Ben?”
“Don’t do it! Please don’t!” Benedict pleaded with tearful eyes, leaping towards his father’s cloak. “Don’t take her down there!”
Nigel watched carefully, getting an idea.
“…Huh.” He started stroking his chin in thought. Rachel looked up, seeing him.
“What is it, Tiger?” she asked him. Nigel looked to her.
“Huh? Oh.. nothing.” He said, and then turned back. A smile was on his face, and Rachel’s eyes felt concerned.
“Why… are you smiling at a time like this?!” she exclaimed. It was nearly loud enough to distract Grandfather. Nigel gasped, grabbing her by the waist and pulling her to the wall. Rachel’s mouth was covered by Nigel’s hand, unable for her to speak out.
Grandfather turned with a scowl on his face, hissing out.
“Who was that?!” he commanded, looking around. All the kids pointed accusingly towards a brick-wall building near the factories. Whip.
“Ahh… thank you so much for your honesty.” Grandfather complimented, and floated towards the building. Once he left, Ben grabbed Denise’s hand, and together they bolted from the area.
“Wait a mo’…” Grandfather shifted into reverse, looking around. “Where are the cowardly lion and the girl?” Without any hesitation or squeaks from the kids, they pointed again towards the alleyway near two factory buildings. Whip.
The king growled in annoyance, and then turned back to the brick building. “Let them go, then… another stubborn worker out of my way, at least. I bet if she ever had a kid, it’d be even stubborn than her anyway!”
Making his way…err, ‘float’ towards the back of the building on the left side with another alleyway, Nigel released Rachel from his grip.
“I-I’m sorry,” Rachel stammered. “I didn’t mean…”
Nigel smiled. “It’s alright. It’s not your fault.” He took her hand, and then said.
“Let’s get out of here and go after Ben and Denise.”
Before they could make any pace—Nigel bumped into someone. He rubbed his head, moaning. Rachel didn’t make any movement, and her eyes were developing fear.
“Hey! What’s the big idea?!” Nigel growled, opening his eyes.
He gasped.
Overlooking them was a tall, cranky silhouetted man with a long beard and pointy hairs from his head. (…yeah, just watched the beginning of ZERO and got references. ^^; )
“Well, well… what do we have here?” Grandfather chuckled darkly. Nigel lashed out his arm, protecting Rachel from his grandfather. “Aw, I see the champion is protecting his little angel, eh?”
Rachel’s cheeks burned.
A flash from his palms, Grandfather’s hands rose from his sides. “…Not for long.” He murmured.
“Run.” Nigel demanded in a stern whispered. Rachel’s mouth gaped, but no words came out. Only her head shook.
“RACHEL, RUN! GET OUT OF HERE! NOW!” Nigel screamed in a threatening tone. He pushed her away gently, and she fell back.
She was paralyzed. She couldn’t move. Fear was in control now.
“Order!” Nigel cried. “Direct—order!”
The Brit was on his knees, but Grandfather tugged. He tugged at Nigel’s ankles, and brought him in. Just then he snapped his fingers, having Rachel out of the fearing trance.
The girl gasped, and rushed to Nigel’s rescue. “Tiger!”
“NO!” Nigel screamed. “I’ll be alright—warn Numbuh Zero! Go to the tree house!”
A large black and lime-green chain appeared around the bald boy’s throat, closing it tight. Nigel gagged, coughing.
“I can’t leave you! I won’t!” Rachel protested, nearly in tears.
“Oh, what pain! So much sorrow, so much drama—I… love it.” Grandfather grinned, whipping another snake-like chain around Nigel, but on his right arm. And then another appeared on his left!
The boy screamed, feeling the chains tighten. The more he was in pain, the more Rachel wanted to help him to be set free.
“Why not the ball, too?” Nigel asked, “Go ahead, you old man! Give me the ball while you’re at it!”
“Oh, no, no, no!” Grandfather wagged his finger in his future-grandson’s face. “I have a special assignment for you, newcomer…”
He grabbed the boy by the throat chain, and dragged him into midair with only one hand. Grandfather looked down at Rachel, and grinned.
“If you want your hubby back, come and get him, girly…” he sneered, and laughed in her face. Then, he retreated; leaving Rachel all alone.
The blonde girl dropped to her knees, and her bangs fell covering her face.
“…It’s all my fault.” Rachel muttered to herself. She buried her face into her hands, and smoothed one hand throughout her blonde locks. “… I screw up everything…”
She shuddered, but then heard voices.
“No you didn’t!” came a muffled voice from one of the sewer pipes. Rachel gasped, startled from the voice. Ben and Denise popped up from out of the sewer, smiling at her.
“Y… you’re really brave!” Ben said, blushing admiringly at her.
“And that Tiger guy is a real daredevil.” Denise laughed. Rachel’s cheeks blushed, mortified by Nigel’s risks. He was reckless—but in a very good way.
“But don’t worry, we’re gonna get him outta there!” Denise reassured her. Ben looked at her, mouth dropping.
“W-w-we?” he pointed to himself.
Denise grinned. “Yeah, we are! Now, where’s your brother’s hideout again?”
“Oh! Um…ummm… I-I’ll lead the way. Come on, Rachel!” Ben put on another smile, and popped out of the sewer, taking Denise’s hand to help her out.
“By the way, my name’s Denise. Denise Larkson.” She shook hands with Rachel. Rachel smiled.
“My name’s Rachel McKenzie.” said Rachel, and then looked at Ben. “You.. You’re Ben Uno, right?” Ben blushed, surprised to see that she knew his name.
“Y-yes! I’m Ben.” The young version of Father introduced himself and bowed. “A-and I-I guess you’ve heard of… Numbuh ‘Zero’?”
“I’ve heard so many stories!” said Rachel. “Do you think he’ll be able to help my friend out?”
“Maybe… let’s hope Pappy doesn’t become sore like the last time.” Ben said with a small shudder. “He shook the whole treehouse with just one holler, can you believe it?”
Denise placed a hand on his shoulder, grinning. “Alright, we’ve gotta stop talking and go to Numbuh Zero and his team.”
“We’ll think up a plan on how to rescue Nigel.” Rachel said, joining their group. Denise nodded. Rachel looked determinedly at the sky.
Don’t worry, Tiger… I’m coming! We all are…
She then took one look at Ben and Denise together, but then realized something.
“Tiger, what is it?”
“Huh? … Oh, nothing. Nothing at all.”
Nigel shook his head, and then a smile appeared on his face.
Rachel understood why, now.
“Well, it looks like we’re off to see Numbuh Zero!” Rachel said, leading the group. “C’mon, guys!”
Denise smiled, taking the middle and Ben had the rear. Together the three took the sewer-system, causing it to be easier to trail to the tree house.
“I bet the Tree house of Coolness is totally awesome!” Rachel said. Ben frowned, crossing his arms.
“Yeah.. but it kinda’ gives me the creeps.” He said gloomily.
Rachel looked at him. “…Dude. Ben, you really gotta lighten up.”
Ben looked at her, blushing lightly. “W-wha?”
Rachel slapped his shoulder playfully. “Put some courage and determination into those bones! Don’t let the Evil King of the World put you down!” she said.
“B-b-but…”
“You see, I usually feel loads of guilt when I do something wrong.” Rachel said. “But once I get passed it and realize what I have done, I try to make up for it. I’ve been there so many times.”
Denise smiled. “But you’re great at leading, that’s for sure!” she said with a giggle. Ben smiled, and sighed happily whenever he heard her giggle.
Rachel blushed with pleasure, and then looked to the water in the sewer.
“Uh…hey,” she started.
“What?” Denise said.
“There aren’t any… clowns down here, right?” Rachel asked, feeling a bit uneasy.
“C-c-clowns?!” Ben jumped into Denise’s arms, shivering. Denise sighed.
“Ben, Rachel’s right! You really need’a get a grip.”
She dropped him and grabbed his hand, guiding him after Rachel. “No, there aren’t… why do you ask, anyway?”
“… Oh, uh, never mind.” said Rachel.
Besides, didn’t Pennywise only end up in Derry? This was old England for Pete’s sake!
Rachel let out a breath. She walked through the sewer system, leading Denise and Ben as Monty’s brother instructed where to go, where to turn, climb, and exc.
They would finally meet up with Numbuh Zero, ask him for help—and team up with him to defeat Grandfather once and for all… but with Ben on their side.
And thankoo! *hugs*